Lily Dohwa
New Kit
Dohwa is a three month old lop. During our most recent visit to the vet, she had suggested that I practice picking him up everyday to get him used to it however due to how stressful the situation is on the bun, I am starting to doubt the everyday part of it.
I will also like to post about how we do about picking the little guy up just so any suggestions from the community can be made.
I come up to Dohwa. Usually he does not run away as I approach him the same way to give treats as well. As I am sliding my hand between his front legs and chest, he will sometimes start to move away and squirm, but I make a bigger attempt and scoop up his hindlegs. Most times I feel like it's these moments before the catch that is most stressful for him, therefore I would like to know how everyone else does it— do you sweet talk your rabbit before trying to hold him? Do you slowly corral him into a corner? Do you make a faster grab or do you stop immediately as he tries to move away?
Anyhow, once Dohwa has been picked up, he may try to kick a bit, but I hold him a bit more firmly and against my abdomen/chest. Usually that is when he calms down. Then, while being held, my partner feeds him a piece of his favorite treat/fruit. I make sure that he is not struggling, and lower him to the sofa where he is immediately feed another treat. If he is being extra calm while I hold him my partner may touch his feet for a few seconds to simulate a nail-clipping session( and then another treat ).
He is usually fine after being placed down, trying to ask for more treats and not showing any signs of stress/wariness towards us. I immediately start re-filling his hay-bag so he associates being picked up/put down with even more good things.
Even so, as a naturally anxious over-thinker, I worry that he may begin to hate me if I continue to pick him up once everyday. Mostly as there is a bit of struggle during the 'trying to pick up' and 'after being picked up' phase...
I will also like to post about how we do about picking the little guy up just so any suggestions from the community can be made.
I come up to Dohwa. Usually he does not run away as I approach him the same way to give treats as well. As I am sliding my hand between his front legs and chest, he will sometimes start to move away and squirm, but I make a bigger attempt and scoop up his hindlegs. Most times I feel like it's these moments before the catch that is most stressful for him, therefore I would like to know how everyone else does it— do you sweet talk your rabbit before trying to hold him? Do you slowly corral him into a corner? Do you make a faster grab or do you stop immediately as he tries to move away?
Anyhow, once Dohwa has been picked up, he may try to kick a bit, but I hold him a bit more firmly and against my abdomen/chest. Usually that is when he calms down. Then, while being held, my partner feeds him a piece of his favorite treat/fruit. I make sure that he is not struggling, and lower him to the sofa where he is immediately feed another treat. If he is being extra calm while I hold him my partner may touch his feet for a few seconds to simulate a nail-clipping session( and then another treat ).
He is usually fine after being placed down, trying to ask for more treats and not showing any signs of stress/wariness towards us. I immediately start re-filling his hay-bag so he associates being picked up/put down with even more good things.
Even so, as a naturally anxious over-thinker, I worry that he may begin to hate me if I continue to pick him up once everyday. Mostly as there is a bit of struggle during the 'trying to pick up' and 'after being picked up' phase...